29 March 2015
Homily of the Apostolic Nuncio
His Grace Archbishop Petar Rajič
With this celebration, we begin the holiest week in our liturgical year. Today’s liturgy is commonly known as Palm Sunday, when we recall Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem in the final days before the completion of his mission and also his rejection by the elders of his time, which is described in the account of his passion and death on the cross.
The palm or olive branches we bless today and carry with us, symbolize our welcoming Jesus into our lives as our Saviour and the Prince of Peace, the same way the Jews of Jesus’ time received him in Jerusalem as the Messiah and their King, with olive and palm leaves strewn along the path he took. Yet our celebration today is not just a simple recalling of an historical event, but a reminder that Christ suffered and died for our sins and that he offered himself so that we could be reconciled with the Father.
On this Palm Sunday, let us renew our commitment to our Lord and Saviour, the Prince of Peace. May we not just admire him but welcome him into our lives as our Lord and King. Let us follow the example he gave us of sacrificial love, by accepting the hardships of our existence with faith and trust in him, who took upon our sufferings and offered himself up as a ransom for our sins. May we all faithfully carrying our own cross and always remember that by his wounds we have been healed (Cf. Is 53:5). The healing, life-giving power of Jesus’ death has given new life and purpose to many who believe in him. It can also transform us today into people capable of great acts of life-giving charity towards one another that bring us joy and peace, and unite us as one to Christ the Lord.
